NEWS Sept Oct 2018

N E W S
The Cotswold School
Sept/Oct 2018
Exceptional Contribution Award to Mavis, Lady Dunrossil
Excellent Examination Results
Expedition to Cambodia, Vietnam & Laos
Evening Information Event—Sixth Form Open Evening
Expialidocious—Have you got your tickets to see Mary Poppins?
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School House Totals
2341
2506
The Rags2Riches scheme is back! If you are having a clear
out of clothes and shoes over half-term, please consider
donating. These will need to be supplied via the
Rags2Riches bags which are now available from pupil
reception and through tutor groups shortly. The
collection date is 20 th November and we will be taking
donations in to School from Monday 12 November 2018.
More details to follow.
2999
2451
Fundraising!
It’s really easy to support!
The PTA team is working incredibly hard to support our School and here are some really easy ways you can help!
SHOP at Tesco at Stow-on-the-Wold and Moreton-in-Marsh stores until 31st October. Collect token(s) and pop into
the box marked The Cotswold School.
REGISTER with AmazonSmile. It’s so easy to register, via your Amazon account and with Christmas coming…all those
purchases plus doing good for the School! We do urge you to support this secure, online initiative.
https://org.amazon.co.uk/npo/search?q=The%20Cotswold%20School%20PTA&p=1
SIGN-UP to Easy Fundraising! Easy Fundraising is currently offering a ‘Refer a friend and receive a £5 bonus
donation for The Cotswold School PTA, Cheltenham’ initiative. Please do register and use this link as the more
friends the more £5 bonus donations! http://m.e.easyfundraising.org.uk/nl/jsp/m.jsp?
c=40TtCsNxqHBsTZ1H8oUUkdLHsTjE3utt5V0VtLnHneEYs3D&utm_source=adobecampaign&utm_medium=email&
tm_campaign=referral-2018&utm_content=referral-cause_20180930&origin=R1843
RECYCLE The Cotswold School, on behalf of the PTA, has registered with Recycle4Charity.co.uk as The Cotswold
School. Please visit the website, and request printer cartridge bags to send back cartridges for recycle. Please
note, we will NOT be collecting at School. Please send direct to the Charity.
BUY a drink! The PTA will once again be running the bar at the school production, Mary Poppins on 6 th , 7 th and 8 th
November – please do support them as all proceeds go to school teaching and learning resources. Cheers!
The annual Christmas raffle, run by the PTA will take place in November/December.
If you wish to donate a raffle prize, please contact Anita, pta@thecotswoldschool.co.uk
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Welcome...
Contents
Word from HQ
Will Morgan, Principal
2 Fundraising
3 Word from HQ
4 Celebrating Success
5 Exceptional Contribution
Award
6 Speech Day
7 Expedition 2018
8 Sixth Form Open Evening
9 Geography
10 Year 12 PSHE Day/MFL
11 Paris Trip
12 Battlefields Trip
13 Year 10 Art/School Council
14 Christmas Shoebox Appeal
14 Goodrich Castle
15 Careers Fayre
15 Mary Poppins
16 Whitemoor Lakes
17 Governors’ Corner
18 Dairy Dates
Everything is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious… we have had a great start
to this academic year, and it all began with excellent results back in August
for the GCSE, AS and A Level students—well done to them all. But as ever,
the term kicks off and this year to a flying start with the songs, the
costumes and the chimney sweep props for the classic Mary Poppins
musical! We are looking forward to this event, taking place over three
days, 6 th , 7 th , and 8 th November at The Cotswold School.
At The Cotswold School, we pride ourselves on the multitude of trips,
excursions and expeditions. We believe the amount pupils learn away
from the classroom and in real-life situations is significant, and this way of
maximising teaching now permeates each subject: -
Year 7 have enjoyed their first residential, English trips to the Cheltenham
Literary Festival and History trip to Goodrich Castle. Year 9 travelled to the
Battlefields in France. This trip always proves to be a thought provoking
trip, and more notably this year, as we look to mark the centenary of the
end of World War I. Our English students have watched plays including
The Lovely Bones, The Unreturning, Othello and An Inspector Calls – the
beauty of having Cheltenham, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and
Birmingham all in easy reach. Our first-ever Sports trip to Sri Lanka has just
left for a half-term trip with teams in Rugby, Netball, Football, Hockey and
Cricket travelling to this island. Good luck! And students will be visiting
China, again over half-term – a trip that takes place every two years - this
is now the fourth visit. Students from across the years spend time in
Beijing and Shanghai and in Suzhou with our partner school.
The Cotswold School
Alumni Programme
Are you a former pupil?
We hope you enjoy reading all the news from this incredibly busy half
term! Wishing you all a good break and ready to commence what is always
the busiest, but best half term ahead!
Do you know a former pupil?
Can you assist with careers and
mentoring?
In the autumn of 2018, The Cotswold
School will be 30 years old and we
want to reach out to as many former
pupils as possible to make it a lovely
celebration. Please sign up at:
www.cotswold.gloucs.sch.uk/alumni/
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Celebrating Success!
A Level and GCSE Results 2018
The Cotswold School is celebrating some of their finest GCSE examination results in the history of the School – this the 30 th
anniversary year of The Cotswold School.
84% of students achieved the benchmark of five or more 9-4 grades, including Mathematics and English
10% of students received 9-7 grades in all their subjects
33% of grades are 9-7
In addition, 53% of students achieved the EBacc Award, which represents achievement in the most rigorous GCSE subjects.
Mr Morgan, Principal comments, “Sheer hard work, dedication and our School-wide commitment to excellence has resulted
in a set of results to be proud of and I am delighted for so many students who have shown such commitment to their studies.
These results in a time of huge change in syllabus, assessment and methodology are down to three things: an absolute
commitment to teaching and learning, commitment to the individual, and teamwork – School, parents and pupils.”
The Cotswold School announces that the Sixth Form examination results achieved by students this summer have once again
been Outstanding.
Over one-third of all A Level grades awarded at A* or A
Two-thirds of all A Level grades awarded at A*, A or B
Fourteen Cotswold School students (12% of the cohort) achieved an impressive three or more A* or A grades
Jake Skelton 4A* University of Cambridge to read Natural Sciences
Rosie Mutsaars 1A* 2A University of Cambridge to read Classics
Rebecca Hoadley 2A* 2A Medicine at University College of London
Ellen Walkingshaw 1A* 1A 1B University of Oxford to read Theology & Religion
Luke Ellison 1A* 3A University of Southampton to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Pablo Fyfe 3A* 1A University of Southampton to study Aeronautics and Astronautics
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Exceptional Contribution Award
In the 30th year of The Cotswold School to Mavis, Lady Dunrossil
This is a 30-year story of ‘friendship and knowledge’ overseen continually by one driven Lady
– Mavis, Lady Dunrossil. Born in July 1929, she has devoted much of her career to Gloucestershire
politics and the education sector with time served in the diplomatic service. An Oxford graduate in History (she actually saw
Roger Bannister run the four-minute mile), she served as a Gloucestershire County councillor for over 30 years including
chairing the County Education Committee. She was Chairman of County for several years, before retiring at the age of 80. She
has also devoted over 30 years to the governing body of The Cotswold School, including 23 years as Chair. Even now she still
finds time to sit on the Finance, Pay & Performance and Teaching & Learning Committees as well as being a Governor and
former Chair at catchment primary school Withington.
Lady Dunrossil has fought many battles in the county and been a prominent figure handling crises. Of note was her tenacious
and driven vision that the ‘rural’ Cotswold School must be an 11-18 non-selective comprehensive. The local Grammar School
based in Northleach was to close and as Chair of this school, she was then appointed as Chair to oversee the amalgamation of
this school with Bourton Vale Secondary Modern School, based in Bourton-on-the-Water. Many thought this should be an 11-
16 school with those wishing to study A Levels travelling to Cirencester some 16 miles away. Lady Dunrossil fought the fight for
an 11-18 school. She won and where many thought she would then fail, thirty years on is a school where she has:
Appointed three Headteachers
Overseen a series of phased planning for development and seen the fruition of this work
Seen a School that has received four Ofsted Outstanding accreditations
Watched pupil numbers soar from 450 in 1988 to over 1300 in 2018
Followed the success of the Sixth Form with increased and continuing Oxbridge and Russell Group candidate placements
Delighted in exam results going from strength to strength to include winning The Sunday Times Comprehensive School in
2015-2016 which is based on A*/A grades at GCSE and A*-B at A Level
Her dedication towards SEND pupils and great teaching and learning for all pupils at all levels through the provision of 11-18
non-selective education, impressive facilities and specialist subject teachers has been a 30-year outstanding achievement.
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Speech Day 2018
We held our annual Prize Giving Evening on Thursday 13th September
2018. We welcomed Melanie Waters, OBE and CEO of Help for
Heroes since November 2016, as our guest speaker. Mel has a strong
personal interest in disability and was awarded the OBE in 2017 for services
to the Armed Forces. Her speech was both poignant and resolute and
inspired all those in the room.
It was an honour and a privilege that The School honoured Mavis, Lady
Dunrossil with an Exceptional Contribution Award. Please turn back to page 5
to read more! Thank you to Mr Andrew Parker, Chair of Governors for
presenting this well-deserved honour.
Music was a big part of the evening and thank you to Abigail Mackay, Alec
Jenkins and Albertine Wheeler for playing the first movement of Mozart
Divertamenti (Wind trio). They played well and showed both perseverance
and humour! Well done to Maite Capper! She stood in at the very last
moment to sing so beautifully—she only knew that morning and to stand up
in front of the Hall and sing like she did, is an incredible achievement.
To all the students who received an award - well done. Of special note are
the following:
Abigail Crossley who was the first recipient of the new Work Experience
Award, sponsored by Midcounties Co-operative.
Sabrina Torris who was awarded the Ann Holland Award for outstanding
achievement at GCSE.
Jake Didcot who received the Gaynor Didcote Prize for his wonderful A Level
results. All should be proud of their awards.
Thank you to Mrs Hudson for organising a great evening.
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Expedition 2018
Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos
The Sixth Form expedition was a phenomenal
success and both students and staff had an
amazing 3 weeks. A week was spent in an
elephant sanctuary where the students worked
and looked after the animals. The also visited
historic sites in Vietnam, including war sites of
the Carmague operation.
Time was spent visiting the infamous Angkor
Wat in Cambodia—which to all accounts was
amazing! There was the trek in the mountains
of Sapa in Northern Vietnam and time at Ha
Long Bay.
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Geography department
Dawlish Warren
Year 11, GCSE Fieldwork
The Year 11 Geographers hit the ground, literally, at the start of
the term, completing their first fieldwork studies, following the
summer holidays. Dawlish Warren in South Devon was the
location and various tasks including surveys, sketch diagrams,
beach profiles and groyne measurements were gathered.
Dawlish from above...
Former pupil to the School, Nick Key, took to the skies in
September and took these amazing aerial photographs of
Dawlish Warren and Spit...WOW!
Zero to
Landfill…
We are proud to
announce as a whole
School, that we have
proudly attained 'Zero
to Landfill
Achievement' with
Printwaste Waste
Management.
Twitter
Keep up to date with the Geography
department on Twitter!
@cotswoldgeog #cotswoldgeog
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Year 12 PSHE Day
Gloucester, Oxstalls Campus
Year 12 were invited to Oxstalls Campus in Gloucester
where they had a tour of the campus followed by
different workshops and sessions.
The first was on ‘Presenting’ – talking about what made
a good/bad presentation. Then in groups they had to
give a presentation about the opening of a new theme
park. They were given ten images and had to talk for ten
seconds about each image – linking it to their theme
park.
The second session was on ‘Effective Note Taking’ – the
students were asked to watch clips from films, and to
make notes. Then followed a question forum, to see how
effective their note taking had been!
The final session was on “Time Management”, with the
main take home point on ‘be realistic about the time you
have’. The students were asked to account for a 24 hour
period: how much time they spent sleeping, looking on
social media, walking the dog, eating etc. They then
calculated how much time was left for study, and from
there what could help them to plan their time more
effectively, and whether it would be an electronic plan
or paper diary.
German Exchange
We welcomed students from Miesbach, Bavaria for
the week-long annual German exchange! As
pictured here, It was a windy finish to a another
successful visit, and a week-long trip full of trips,
visits and being part of a family from The Cotswold
School. This trip has been running for many years
now and is a great help to students from both
schools.
Language Quiz
At the start of the term and to get our brains in gear, some
brave teachers together with the students took part in a
House Language quiz at lunchtime. Taking place in the
School Hall, Dr Pearce, the new Head of Zeus was in fighting
form, leading us to victory! Well done.
Apollo was second, Artemis third with Poseidon fourth.
Although Poseidon have made a comeback, leading the
School Points score after this first half-term.
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Paris Trip
In July, 35 Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 pupils went on
a long weekend to Paris. After stopping in the
pretty town of Arras on the way there, we arrived
at the Château de Grande Romaine on the
outskirts on Paris. Whilst there in the evenings, we
enjoyed doing sports, making crepes and even
singing karaoke!
On Saturday, we visited the impressive Château de
Fontainebleau, former Royal Palace and residence
of Napoleon. After that, we set off for the Tour
Montparnasse, where you get an impressive 360
degree of Paris from the terrace.
Sunday was spent sightseeing in Paris, getting
great views again but from the Arc de Triomphe
this time and picnicking by the Louvre Museum.
We saw lots of famous landmarks such as the
Notre Dame cathedral and the Musée d’Orsay
whilst we cruised down the River Seine. You can’t
leave Paris without eating in the Bouillon-Chartier
restaurant and it was delicious as always. The
pupils did themselves proud speaking to the
waiters in French.
On the last day, we fitted in a visit to the Stade de
France, still basking in the glory of France’s World
Cup victory. This was a behind the scenes look on
and off the pitch and well worth a visit. Thank you
to all the pupils who were a pleasure to take and
to Mrs Joynson, Mrs Barratt, Mr A.Thomas and
Adrian, our driver from Pulhams, who all helped
make this an enjoyable and successful visit.
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Battlefields Trip
William Edmund Gelling was my Great Grandfather. He fought in
World War 1, having enlisted at the age of eighteen in November
1915. Stationed in Northern France, he was in the Signals Company
laying and repairing telephone lines that connected the Generals’
headquarters to locations on the frontline. It involved braving
enemy fire to make sure communications were uninterrupted –
many signallers never returned. William was awarded the Military
Cross for “bravery in the field” and “devotion to duty under heavy
shellfire.” Like many others, he never mentioned the war to his
family, perhaps to save the pain of recalling what he saw and
experienced. It was this family history that made me want to find
out more about my Great Grandfather’s experiences and to go on
the Year 9 Battlefields trip.
I will never forget the row upon row of white crosses at the many
cemeteries we visited. At the Battle of the Somme alone (in which
William fought) the official number of British dead, missing or
wounded was over 400,000 and it is estimated that the total
number of casualties both civilian and military was around 37
million people across the whole of the war. On the trip, we visited
British, French, Canadian and German cemeteries as well as the
Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, which is a memorial to the missing
whose graves are unknown. We were able to explore some of the
original trenches that have been preserved since the end of the
war. Overall, the trip was really interesting and challenging and
these experiences outlined to me the horror and futility of war.
Ella Hughes, Year 9
The Battlefields was an excellent trip which helped us explore the
history of WW1 as it showcased everything we had been taught in
class. It really put into perspective the overwhelming, pained
reality of what people went through during the war. We went to
places where literally thousands of people died. It was an
incredibly experience and I would recommend it to anyone who
gets the opportunity.
Emily Gresley, Year 9
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Year 10 Art Trip
Sixty year 10 art students had a fantastic day out in
Oxford In September, they visited the National
History Museum and The Pitt Rivers museum to
collect photographs and complete observational
studies to support their 1st coursework project on
Structures.
The day begun with Mrs Wardell explaining the
architectural features of the museum followed by a
talk by one of the education officers who explained
the history of the building. The year 10s were able
to handle many of the specimens including a
stuffed barn owl, butterflies, shells, bones and a
very long snake skin.
The year 10s spent 2 hours collecting photos and
completing some high quality tonal studies in the
National History Museum. There were some
fantastic studies of stuffed birds, dinosaur bones
and insects. Students then went on to view the
wonderful collection of oddities in The Pitt Rivers
Museum, here they saw all manner of strange and
unusual things including shrunken heads, medical
equipment and weaponry.
Enterprise
Last Year 8 students, Kiera Greatbanks, Jasmine Keylock and Sophie Didcote won the
‘Run your own Business’ enterprise initiative. Now in year 9, they were presented at
Assembly with their trophy. Their company, Ice.co took to selling ice cream back in the
summer term and made a whopping £85.10!
Pictured here with Sixth Form Business Studies
Ambassadors, Ice.co brought forward their selling date,
to take advantage of the hot weather! They pitched it
School Council
The School Council meet weekly on Wednesday lunchtimes and has welcomed an army of Year 7s! New recycling bins
have arrived and an Assembly will follow at the start of next term to update students. Other suggestions are a bigger
library porch for bags and more bag holders, and these suggestions are in the process of being followed up.
The School Council has also selected a local, national and international charity from a shortlist provided by teachers. The
aim for this academic year is to support these charities, along with the new pavilion fundraising in holding events over
this next year. The School Council will hold assemblies in the first week of term to update all students.
The charities for the 2018-2019 academic year are:
Local: The Emily Kent Unit International: Akwaaba Ghana
National: YoungMinds School: The new Sports & Events Pavilion
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Christmas Shoebox Appeal
Deadline date 16 November 2018
The Shoe box appeal is an excellent project, providing gifts for children
all over the world who are displaced or without any resources, or whose
parents are unable to buy them anything for Christmas. We have until 16
November 2018 to create and deliver a box. Last year we sent hundreds
and really contributed to the lives of many vulnerable children. For more
information please visit www.teams4u.com.
WHAT TO DO?
Find an empty shoebox!
Choose boy, girl and age group.
Personalise your shoebox! Ideas include: toothbrush, games,
puzzles, a photo of yourself...there is a choice of a HOME box with
ideas of toiletries, socks, utensils, plates, clothes pegs etc.
Please no food, medicines, military themed items, aerosols or
anything highly flammable, sharp items or novels.
DELIVER TO SCHOOL BY 16 NOVEMBER 2018
Goodrich Castle
Year 7 Norman Castle Trip
Year 7s were once again rewarded with a wonderful visit to Goodrich Castle, close to Ross-on-Wye in the beautiful
Herefordshire county. The year group was split to go on two different days, the first group having by far the best weather,
with second having to battle the edge of Storm Callum as well as the fortified castle!
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Careers Fayre
Thank you
The Annual Careers Fayre took place on Wednesday 17th October in the Sports Hall. Over forty-two businesses/sectors/
individuals/parents/Governors gave up their valuable time to speak to our students on all things relating to work! Thank you
to Hazlewoods, TSB, Ruffer, St James’ Place, Thomson & Bancks, Charterhouse Research, IBM, QSR International, HG
Technology, AFION, Blumango Creative, ActionColour, Chester House Hotel, Pulham & Sons, Hacklings, Gloucestershire Police,
the Royal Navy & Marines, the Army, the RAF, the Institute of Engineering, Dave Payne Electricians, Bloor Homes, the National
Trust, The Everyman Theatre, National Citizen Service, Northleach Church of England Primary School, Cheltenham Town
Community Trust, Life In Sport, Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Nursing, Parkview Chiropractic, University of Bristol
Medical Education, University Hospitals Bristol, The Orders of St John Care Trust, Proud to Care Gloucestershire, Chipping
Norton Veterinary Hospital, Midcounties Co-operative, Aston Martin, Cirencester College, RAU, University of Gloucestershire,
Hartpury and our Careers Advisor Mrs Williams. We thank them wholeheartedly.
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Whitemoor Lakes
Year 7 Residential in Pictures
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Governors’ Corner
Firstly I would like to express our appreciation to Ms Catherine Roffe who is retiring from the Governors after many
years of commitment and service to the school, firstly on the PTA and then as a parent governor and finally as a coopted
governor. During that time she has held the key roles of SEND and Safeguarding governor as well as chairing the
Teaching and Learning Committee. She has been to the school on many occasions to visit departments and support
extracurricular events and has proof reading (and written) many policies, not forgetting the governor panels she has sat
on. To show our appreciation Mr Morgan presented her with some flowers and we wish her all the best for the future.
We are delighted to welcome aboard two new co-opted Governors. Mrs Faye Heming was previously Head of St
David’s in Moreton and is now an educational consultant and OFSTED inspector. Many of you will already know Mr
John ap Jones who is head of Bourton Primary. Their combined primary expertise will be of much benefit as we
continually review and monitor our KS2 to KS3 transition and curriculum arrangements.
At the first meeting Mr Andrew Parker was re-elected to continue as Chair and Dr Helen Warren was re-elected as Vice
Chair. The rest of the first meeting was spent on organising the committee structure for the year and allocating link
departments. Mr Richard Emsley and Dr Cullan Riley have been re-elected Chairs of Finance and Premises respectively
and Mr Lee Campbell will be taking over from Ms Roffe as Chair of T&L. Mrs Faye Heming will take over as SEND
governor and Mrs Linda Rowley will be our new Safeguarding governor – both are experts in these respective fields.
The programme of works for the year and the delegation of authority were approved and committees tasked with
reviewing their terms of reference. In the second meeting on October 8 th Governors approved
the final School Development Plan and heard presentations on various aspects of school life as
well as reviewing committee minutes and approving policies. The third meeting in December will
be devoted principally to the budget.
Sporting News
Going plastic free!
Have you
seen our
regular
Sporting
Successes
Newsletter?
Keep up to date with all the Sporting News
from across the school and further afield
via:
https://cotswold.gloucs.sch.uk/fixturesand-results/
Since we have gone plastic free with our Pasta King pots,
we have now also taken this a step further! We now
have wooden forks and cardboard sandwich containers!
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Diary dates...
October
29 Pupils Return
30 Oxbridge Exams
November
6/7/8 Mary Poppins School Production
13 Ski Trip Parents’ Information Evening
15 Sixth Form Information Evening
22 & 23 Inset Days
The Cotswold School
The Avenue, Bourton on the Water
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 2BD
Telephone: 01451 820554
Fax: 01451 810658
Email: admin@thecotswoldschool.co.uk
Marketing: marketing@thecotswoldschool.co.uk
Website: https://cotswold.gloucs.sch.uk/
Principal: Mr Will Morgan
December
5-6 Year 11 Mock Examinations
6 Year 12 Parents’ Evening
13 Carol Service at the Church of St Peter &
St Paul, Northleach
21 Christmas Holidays
School closes at 2.30pm
January 2019
7 Pupils Return
Picture
Perfect
Wishing you all a lovely
half-term break!
Autumn 2018
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